Commonly Reported HVAC Problems

You Have Problems, We Have Answers

Commonly Reported HVAC Problems:

Some rooms are warmer or colder than others:

Air Duct Balancing...

If some rooms are warmer or colder than others, this is usually just a matter of balancing. Meaning adjusting the airflow to each room so they all even out. Or sometimes making the rooms you choose more comfortable, and unused rooms less so. If a room is heating or cooling much quicker than other rooms, the airflow can be reduced to that room to even things out, also sending more air to other areas.

If some rooms can't keep up with others and the airflow isn't as noticeable, make sure the air vents are fully opened.

What is the best way to balance your ducts?

Many systems have dampers installed on the individual supply runs coming off the main supply trunk. This is either in the basement or attic. They are identified by little metal handles which open, close and adjust a metal damper controlling the amount of air through the duct. By dampening the air-flow here to rooms with too much air, it will send more air to the rooms that need it.

If your system doesn't have dampers or if they are inaccessible, then dampening and balancing will have to be done at the supply registers themselves. Just adjust as necessary.

In many homes, and mostly in two-story homes, there is usually one or two rooms that just can't keep up with the others. Maybe it has the longest duct run or the most elbows and turns. Maybe it is over a garage, exposed to more extreme temperatures. In most of these cases, balancing may help. But in extreme situations, such as poorly insulated rooms, or undersized ductwork, then no amount of balancing will fix the problem.

Below is a list of possible causes. Items in red usually require a service call. Items in blue however can be addressed, some even fixed by the homeowner.

HELP!

Red = Professional fix | Blue = Homeowner fix

Check for proper insulation

Check duct dampers

Check windows

Check fan speed, possibly boosting to higher speed

Check for clean blower wheel and coil

Check for properly sized and installed ductwork

Check for debri or obstruction in ductwork

Dirty filter - the cleaner the filter the better the airflow

Make sure vents are open, including all return vents

Check for proper damper positions

Make sure windows are fully closed and in good condition

Close shades and/or curtains

Please keep in mind that the information found on our website is provided free of charge and Hannabery HVAC does not assume any liability resulting from the information we provide. We hope this information helps, but please note that these are just rough guidelines, and not all possible situations are covered. Your HVAC system should be inspected and repaired by a trained technician.

I just had a brand-new furnace installed in my home. Hannabery was the company we chose. The company is highly professional and the workers were very efficient. The gentleman that came out and gave us our estimate had the lowest Price for the exact same unit. We highly recommend them.

Janet Prusak

Center Valley, PA

The service technician was very polite, informative and professional. He answered all my questions while installing a Aprilaire Humidifer. He is the type of person you would invite to your house for dinner. I would recommend Hannabery HVAC to everyone. The work was done in a very professional and timely manner. It was an awesome experience! Thank You!

Just wanted to express our gratitude to your Technician Walt and his Service Manager for quickly getting us help and fixing our heater this Saturday. Walt did a great job, quickly diagnosing the problem and getting our heater back on. This level of service is the reason why I always recommend your company to my friends! Happy Holidays!

Chris McGrath

Macungie, PA

We'd like to tell you how pleased we were with the installation of our new heat pump. It's very quiet and efficient. The technicians Dominick and Joe were very skilled and professional, and knowledgable of the product. Thank you again for the excellent service.

John Russo

Lords Valley, PA

Dear Hannabery, We just want to thank you for the excellent service given to us by your staff - Ian especially. He was so mannerly and careful - always putting on his booties when coming into the house. The repair to our heat pump was done in a timely manner - and we are so appreciative of your treatment to us....we know that we can always depend on you and we will recommend your company to others.

P.S. When a company such as yours is doing everything they can to make a customer happy, then you should be rewarded with compliments and appreciation. I feel that you went above and beyond helping me get the heat pump fixed and your records were so complete that there was the warranty that was used as payment. I also want to acknowledge the two ladies that answered the phone when I called - they were both so kind and thoughtful. Be proud of your company. June

June Samph

Allentown, PA

To Dan N (Supervisor), today about noon Chris & Phil completed installing a new heat pump system for our second floor. The work was done in a very professional manner & in a very timely manner. You can be proud to have these gentlemen on your staff representing Hannabery. Thanks for a job well done and to Chris & Phil for their outstanding customer service and professional abilities!

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Nazareth, PA

I want to let you know the 2 men that came to put in my new heat pump were wonderful. They were extremely professional, they were very respectful of my house and made sure it was kept clean. When they were done they made sure I understood the new system. I have been a customer for 14 years and want to thank you for all the wonderful service your company has given over the years. You should be proud to work for Hannabery!

Sharon Williges

Stroudsburg, PA

Replacement of my central heat pump went exactly as I was told (1+ day). The team that was here was courteous and friendly. They took care to cover my hardwood floors where they had to pass through the house and did a great job at cleaning up. They consulted me throughout the installation about various options I had during the installation and continually updated me on progress. They did not cut corners anywhere. They even added another duct and new wiring at no extra charge on the original contract. When I had them give me a quote, I was never up-sold. I actually was the one that upgraded items (upgraded filter and humidifier system). The work outside the house was as meticulous as inside.

Joe Hammerstone

Allentown,PA

My central air/heat pump died. I got a few estimates. I was floored by how I was treated by other companies. One gave me a price and said I had to sign that day for the price, another told me they would need to rip out my ducts & drain pipes. In walks Dave from Hannabery, what a difference! He took the time to look at my old system, explained what SEER was and all of my options. More importantly he conducted himself in a friendly professional manner, as did the crew who put in my system. I have to say with all of the work I have had done, this was the best experience I have had for service, price and quality! I will be referring all of my friends, neighbors and family to Hannabery! Thank you to your entire team for all of their hard and excellent work.

Elizabeth Millard

Quakertown, PA

Every time someone comes to our house Dan and I are so impressed by how kind, thorough and patient they are (particularly with all of my questions)!

Jannelle & Dan Makowski

Allentown,PA

Your technicians - Bill & Gary came out to rebalance the heat in my new townhome. I want to send a note to say both were extremely professional and provided great insight regarding the efficiency of my heat including discussing service plans. I was really impressed with their customer service.

Teresa

Emmaus,PA

I just wanted to let you know about my experience with your company. Recently two of your employees did a Change-out of the HVAC system in my home. The guys arrived on time, were professional and informative and finished up on time also. I had to leave to go to work before they were done but I am happy to say when I returned, my home was warm and just as clean as before they arrived. Please tell Todd and his partner that I appreciate the quality service they provided.

Scott Dougherty

Doylestown,PA

Excellent, excellent, excellent job by all on your staff. Please feel free to share my contact information, should you ever need a reference.

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Lords Valley,PA

I would highly recommend them. They are honest, trustworthy and on time. They are professional and helpful. They come out with in a moments notice.

I really enjoy your website, very informative on how to maintain your own system. Prices are very reasonable on having your system serviced. It's very easy to move around your website and find what you are looking for quickly. Thanks for making it simple and very imformative ;-)

Carlos Nazario

East Stroudsburg,PA

I want to thank you for providing a solution to our hvac problem. Our AC stopped cooling and after a search for "hvac not cooling" I was glad to find such a thorough check list to go through before needing a service call. It was a simple solution of realizing the outdoor unit was not running and doing a simple restart. We are cool again! Many thanks!!!

Susan Livingston

Genava,IL

I just wanted to give you people a very heartfelt thank you for your trouble-shooting tips on the forced air furnace. My husband was off at work & I was here alone in the house when I woke up to only 52' in here. I have some health problems & can't afford to get chilled so this could have been very dangerous for me. I went through your Troubleshooting checklist & discovered that the power to my furnace was off & I was able to get it turned back on, thanks to your website tips. You people saved me from getting really sick, not to mention a costly service call if I couldn't have figured out the problem from your checklist. So from the bottom of my heart I thank you all. God Bless you. Mrs. Barb Gravel-Canada (where as you may have heard is VERY cold in the winter! *s*)

Barb Gravel

Lethbridge, Alberta Canada

I was able to determine that a service call to my A/C Serviceman was necessary. My desire in looking before hand was finding a short checklist of items to check before he was called. ie reset buttons, etc. I found your site very helpful and the most easy to access simple troubleshooting questions. I appreciate your efforts to answer these querries without anything but a thank you. Well, here it is!! Thanks,John Friedman

[Follow-up:] Please feel free to use my comments. I really appreciate the way you have transferred your businiess style of customer service [and I never had contact with you prior to this] to the seemingly "service-less" Internet. Most people want a buck for their bang, if you catch my drift.Thanks again, John Friedman

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Houston, TX

Thank you for the great info on heat pumps. Mine was iced up and your hints saved me a cold night and a service call! Your site is really well constructed and easy to navigate. Most of all, the site validates that you folks really provide great service! Thank you.

M. Sebastian

Hilton Head Island, SC

Just wanted to say thank you... our pilot light went out while I was at work, and my wife was able to re-light our pilot light using your instructions.

Jason Truss

Nashville, TN

Thank you so much for providing knowledge and helpful information to people outside your industy, rather than just having something to sell.

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Orlando, FL

Had a problem with my heat pump this morning. Circuit breaker kept popping. Googled it and your website suggested checking for loose wires (to the breaker). Guess what? That was the problem! You saved me hundreds! Thank you so much!!!